Dental aspirator assembly



Nov. .2, 1954 G. M. GLEASON, JR., ET AL DENTAL ASPIRATOR ASSEMBLY 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 14 1950 INVENTORS fZHHop ve aMGZe aso 12 BY flc z flea- ATTORNEY N v- 1954 e. M. GLEASON, JR., ET AL 2,693,030

DENTAL ASPIRATOR ASSEMBLY 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 14. 1950 5% I ..w. x m w X f r w]! w a. m di 59 F i I INVENTORS WW 6 26 case n fr ZATTORNEY Nov. 2, 1954 G. M. GLEASON, JR, El AL DENTAL ASPIRATOR ASSEMBLY Filed July 14, 1950 INVENTORS R. ffzgopp e aMazeasb 72,7,

z 8. 4 3 4 W A v Ir! u Iv w n f u w M .TQ Q QM Q Q. n ////v// rm 5 Nov. 2, 1954 s. M. GLEASON, JR., ETAL 2,693,030

DENTAL ASPIRATOR ASSEMBLY Filed July 14, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheetfi 1N VENTORS R. ffie Z776 Q'MGZeasonpE ATTORNEY N 1954 G. M. GLEASON, JR, ETAL ,0

ENTORS INV RHHoppe aMGZeaso 72, J:

G. M. GLEASON, JR., ETAL I Nov. 2, 1954 DENTAL ASPIRATOR ASSEMBLY 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed July 14, 1950 1 I mvENTol ZZEHop ve 6211f. GZeas A RNEY Patented Nov. 2, 1954 DENTAL ASPIRATOR ASSEMBLY Gus M. Gleason, .lr., and Rudolf H. Hoppe, Johnstown, Pa.

Application July 14, 1950, Serial No. 173,764

Claims. (Cl. 32--33) This invention relates to dental equipment and more particularly to the class, including dental aspirators, adapted for the disposal of saliva, bone slivers, blood, calculus tissue, filling material. and anything else that becomes loose or removable from the oral cavity of a patient during dental operations or treatment.

The conventional dental aspirator provides a relatively crude method for the removal of particles and secretions from the mouth of a patient. It has several conspicuous operational difliculties in its use and maintenance. These include the tendency to clog the equipment and become inoperative, with no convenient way of overcoming the condition. The components and connections easily become dirty and insanitary. In addition a pump, motor, mobile table and waste container are needed for the proper functioning of the equipment. This invention avoids these diificulties by providing an assembly of simple components that are compact, convenient to use, and provide an effective and convenient arrangement for doing in itself, the work of all the components necessary heretofore, and its cost to manufacture is relatively small.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved dental aspirator assembly, that will avoid one or more of the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved dental aspirator assembly of few components and facile operational faculties in compact arrangement.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved dental aspirator assembly that will do effective removal of disposable items in the oral cavity, during dental treatment, under the convenient and continuous control of the operator.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved dental aspirator assembly, that will have provision against clogging, will be self-cleaning, and will provide for the effective and convenient disposal of the waste materials.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a new and improved dental aspirator assembly that will keep itself operationally free of moisture, and deleterious materials, in a quasi-automatic manner.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved assembly unit that can function for conventional duties and in addition perform other items of work that render the work of the dentist more convenient, effective and less laborious.

Another additional object is to provide a compact and effective method for the removal of waste materials from the oral cavity.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent as it is more fully described.

For a clearer comprehension of the invention, its objects, principles and operation, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. These drawings in conjunction with the following description outline a preferred construction of the invention, by way of example, in a practical illustration, while the claims emphasize the legal extent of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a diagrammatic outline of a dental aspirator assembly embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the distributor unit used in this embodiment and shown mounted on a dental bowl;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a side elevation of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view on line 5-5 of Figures 2 and 3;

Figure 6 is a sectional elevation taken longitudinally on line 6-6 of Figures 5 and 2;

Figure 7 is a detail of a check valve connection used in the distributor unit;

Figure 8 is a transverse sectional elevation through the valve control unit used in this embodiment;

Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional detail of the draining, valve, shown in Figure 8, on line 99;

Figure 10 is an underside view of the unit shown in Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a sectional elevation on line 11-11 of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a similar view on line 1212 of Figure 10;

Figure 13 is a similar view on line 13-13 of Figure 10;

Figure 14 is a transverse sectional view on line 1414 on Figure 11;

Figure 15 is a sectional detail on line 15-15 of Figare 11;

Figure 1-6 is an end elevation, partly in section of Figure 8;

Figure 17 is a detail of the nozzle tube unit used in this embodiment;

Figure 18 is a section on line 1818 of Figure 17, showing the structure of the strainer used therewith;

Figure 19 is a sectional detail of the self-cleaning valve used in the embodiment, and

Figure 20 is a diagrammatic outline of the valves in self-cleaning position in the valve control unit.

Similar reference characters designate the same parts throughout the drawings.

The form of the invention outlined herein illustrates its use for dental work, but it is not necessarily limited to such because the device could be employed for general operational work on an individual or animal.

The construction indicated in the drawings is made up primarily of an assembly including a valve control unit 30, a distributor unit 50, and a system of conductors 62, 63, 64, 6S, integral between them for the conveyance of the mediums involved in the use and operation of the system involved. This assembly is coupled to a conventional dental unit 40 providing a source of air under pressure in one of its sections and a saliva ejector in another section, when the invention is put into practical use. Referring to Figure 1 wherein a diagram of the system is indicated, for an outline of the operation of the system: The valve control unit includes a housing having five ways 31, 32, 33, 34, and two operable valves 37, 38 to control them. These ways are termed arbitrarily as follows: the nozzle passage 31, leading from one side of the housing to a convenient interior location for the insertion of a nozzle tubing 36; a draining passage 32 arranged in the housing at right angles to the passage 31, and leading from it in T formation; an aspirator passage 33 substantially parallel to the passage 32 but spaced away from it; an air pressure passage 34 also parallel to the passages 32 and 33; and the L-shaped passage 35 termed the bypass. The by-pass 35 connects the passages 32 and 34 together. One of the valves 37, designated the aspirator valve, is arranged in the housing of the unit 30, so it can open and close the pressure air flow through the passage 34 to the passage 33. In Figure 1, this valve is open and the air is flowing from the dental unit 40, under pressure through passage 34 to passage 33. No air passes through the bypass 35 while this valve is open but it can accumulate there. The cleaning valve 38 is closed while the valve 37 is open and while closed it closes the by-pass 35, to the passage 31, 32. While the air is flowing through the passage 33, as it comes from a dental unit 40 supplying the air under pressure to the system, it also by-passes through a distributor unit 50, and the conductor 61. From the distributor unit it continues through a rubber hose, tubing or conductor 64 to the passage 34.

The distributor unit 50 is also a five-way housing and its passages 54, 53, 52, 51, 55, are designated, the air pressure passage 54 passing freely through it, from its connection to the dental unit 40 and the passage 34, through the conductor 64; the suction passage 55; the draining passage 52, the aspirator passage 53; and the equalizing passage 51, the latter being coupled to the dental unit 40, at its ejection section through a check valve 56. The aspirator passages 53, 55 are connected with a discharge fitting 66, having a check valve 58 that carries its contents to the dental bowl used with the in- VCIIUOD.

The valve 37 when open, valve 38 being closed, allows the pressure air to flow by it from the passage 34 to the passage 33, through the conductors 64, the passage 54 from the unit 40. It flows at high speed through the passage 33, tubing 63, and passage 53, into the fitting 66. As the air passes across the passage 52, it creates a suction and aspirator effect on the latter creating a partial vacuum on the tubing 62, the passage 32 and passage 31. The nozzle tube 36 being placed in the oral cavity of a dental patient sucks or draws up any loose materials within its range of influence. This passes through the distributor passage 52, fitting 66, and discharge pipe 65 and is eliminated. As long as the air passes through under pressure, it raises the ball 58 of the check valve in the fitting 66 so it will not interfere. When this air pressure is reduced or closed off, the ball check 58 drops and closes the valve and prevents anything in the discharge pipe 65 from returning into the system.

Meanwhile the discharging air and efl luvia under suction from the ejector section pulls the check valve 56 and closes it by its vacuum effect. The suction from the dental unit is exerted on this check valve, but being appreciably less the aspirator effect at 55 does not open it to the dental unit, under the noted valving arrangement shown in Figure 1.

When the valve 38 is opened and the valve 37 closed, the pressure air passes from the passage 34 through the by-pass 35 into the passage 32 as far as the nozzle passage 31. It there passes into the nozzle passage and blows the nozzle out. It does not pass eflectively through the passage 32, tubing 62 to the distributor, because the resistance quotient of the latter part of the system is so much greater that it creates a back pressure that blocks its flow that way enough to prevent it. At the same time the check valve 58 closes the discharge 65 and the incidental passages thereto, and prevents a reverse pneumatic flow from the discharge, back into the assembly. The valve 37 closes the passage 32, which eliminates the aspirator effect at the passage 55, allowing the check valve 56 to open the connection to the tubing 62. When the check valve 56 is open the suction from the unit 40 through the tubing 60 and passage 51, takes out any stagnant air and moisture existing in the tubing 63, 62, and passages connected therewith. v

The assembly consists of the components, the valve control unit and distributor unit. They are intended to be located remote from each other and therefore for general use and purposes require conductors in between to time them operationally together. The structure of each is outlined specifically as follows: Valves 37, 38 are similar and are marked similarly.

Valve control unit This component includes a housing 30, as indicated in Figure 8, in which a passage 31 has a side entrance and terminates at its outlet in an enlarged screw-threaded orifice 39. A blow-out valve 38 is used for controlling the air flowing under pressure into the nozzle 36, as it comes from the passage 35 through the tubing 64. It has a stem 41, with a cap 42, secured to its outer end by a screw as shown in Figure 9. The cap serves as a rest against which the operator can press his thumb to push the stem further into its structure to open the valve. A coil spring 43 is compressed when this is done and returns the stem outwardly when released. The stem reciprocates in a stufiing box 44 adjustably screwed into a cylindrical casing 45 holding the spring 43, and acting as a sliding surface on which the cap can reciprocate. Packing 46 is placed in the stutfing box 44, to make it airtight. The casing 45 has its lower exterior surface screwthreaded at 47 to hold it in the housing 30. An extension 48v having a shoulder is formed on the stem 41 and has a taperedportion leading to a restricted cylindrical element 49, at its outer end that ishollowed out tov allow a flow of air to pass through its lateral hole 70 down through the passage 32, when the valve is in closed position. When this; valve 38 is, in open; position, which is when the cap and stem are pressed down so the tapered extension 4.8 forces the valve head 71 .back off its seat 72,

against the tension of the spring 73. This produces a cam action against the subsidiary valve rod 74, and opens the valve port to the by-pass 35. This allows the air pressure to blow through the passage 31 and clean out the nozzle 36. The housing is formed to properly receive all the parts of the valve structure, as indicated. When the valve 38 is closed, the action on the nozzle is one of suction induced through the aspirator action on the passage .32. This action makes the nozzle 36 suck up anything passable through its tube. The cap 75 provides access to the spring 73, and seat 72 for their adjustment.

The valve 37 is similar in construction to 38, except that element 49 is not hollow, or used as a by-pass. Otherwise, its parts are designated throughout by the same references. It has a screwthreaded portion that screws into the housing 30 at the entrance to the passage 35. It has a casing 45, stufiing box 44, packing 46, stem 41, cap 42, spring 43 and taperedextension 48 as in valve 38. The action of the valve has already been described. It operates to open the passage 34 so it will allow the air pressure to flow freely through the passage 33 and work the aspirator. the valve 38 is opened, the nozzle receives the high pressure air and is blown out.

Nozzle The nozzle 36 consists of a tubing 86 with one end 87 designed to connect with a coupling 89 extending from the passage 31 so it will receive either the full effect of the suction or the blowing actions, induced in the passage 32. The tubing 86 is in two parts that are joined by a union $8 in which a Wire strainer 91 is inserted to catch solids passing through the nozzle. The union is readily opened for the removal or cleaning of the strainer and is quickly reassembled.

Distributor unit The housing 50 of this unit is shown in transverse section in Figure 5 and in longitudinal section in Figure 6. For convenience it is attachable to the bowl 57 of a dentists equipment by means of hooks 59 easily mountable on the bowl rim and holding it in a horizontal position. The hooks 59 are preferably screwable into the housing 50. and thus made easily removable or replaceable. The passages in the housing have already been referred to. It is optional whether the passages leading to the connection to the ejection section. of the dental unit 40, is formed in the housing or this avoided by providing an outside pipe in place of it, as it does not necessarily have to pass through this housing 40. It is however convenient to have it do so. In the diagram in Figure 1, it could be interpreted to be used in either manner, and the check valve 56 in the housing structure or the ball check fitting 67, shown in Figure 5. Likewise the passage 54 could be avoided by connecting the tubing 64 directly to the dental unit 4.0, instead of as shown in Figure 6.

The aspirator formed in the passages 53, 55, 52, employs as aspirator nozzle 68 in a suitable fitting 69 screwed into the side of the housing at the end of the passage 55. This fitting 69 is. coupled to the ball check fitting 66 and connects to the discharge tubing 65. The ball check 58 is lifted to open the valve, when there is a discharge under pressure from the passage 55, and closes when the pressure is removed. This prevents discharge material from returning into the system. At the same time the, check valve 56 closes. when there is pressure in the passages 55, 52, 53, and opens when there is none. In the last instance the low pressure from the ejector section of the dental unit can operate thereon to evacuate the tubing 62 of air and moisture.

There are a number of conventional fittings, couplings and connections not specifically mentioned or described in this specification, shown on the drawings. Since these are well and commonly known and recognized, no additional description appears necessary to. make their purpose and operation apparent, and therefore further elaboration is avoided.

In the design of the valve control unit, stress is laid onthe. portability ofthe item. It can be made for easy hand manipulation by being'light and of a contour easily fitting the hand. The tubular casing 61, screwed on to the housing 30 at the bottom thereof, as shown in Figure 8, serves as a guard for the tubings 62, 63, 64 and to When valve 37 is closed, and

cover the conventional fittings shown and used to attach them to the housing 30.

The assembly of the components provides a number of conspicious features. It meets the practical requirements of operational work for doctors, dentists and others handling operational debris. If the suction becomes impaired during the use, the operator can surmise that the nozzle has become clogged, and this he quickly eliminates by blowing out the nozzle in the manner already described. Further he can use the nozzle as a sprayer for many occasions where such would be desirable. He can readily clean out the strainer mechanically by unloosening the union 90 in which it is placed. The ejector keeps the components clear of saliva, etc., when the assembly is not in its more active use and thereby makes it sanitary. The many parts of the device are made ac cessible for several practical purposes, and are compact in form.

While but one form of the invention is shown in the drawings and described herein, it is not desired to limit the construction of the devices to such, as it is appreciated that other forms could be designed, developed and made, that would employ the same principles and come within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for removal of debris of an operation comprising a control unit, a distributor unit spaced from said control unit, and a dental unit spaced from said distributor unit and the control unit, said control unit being formed with a drainage passage, a nozzle passage having an inner end communicating with the drainage passage intermediate the length thereof, a nozzle connected with the outer end of the nozzle passage, an aspirator passage in the control unit, an air pressure passage in the control unit having its inner end communicating with the aspirator passage, a by-pass passage in the control unit connecting the air pressure passage with the drainage passage, a valve controlling communication between the by-pass passage and the drainage passage and a second valve selectively controlling communication of the air pressure passage with the aspirator passage and the by-pass passage, said distributor unit having a body formed with an aspirator passage and with a drainage passage having an inner end communicating with the said aspirator passage intermediate the length thereof, a coupling carried by said body and formed with a passage forming a continuation of the aspirator passage in the body and controlled by an outwardly opening check valve, a discharge tube extending from the outer end of the passage in the coupling, a conduit connecting the aspirator passages of the distributor unit and the control unit, a drainage conduit connecting the drainage passages of the distributor unit and the control unit, a coupling connecting drainage conduit with a hose extending to the dental unit and controlled by a check valve opening towards the hose, and a conduit connecting the dental unit with the air pressure passage of the control unit.

2. A surgical apparatus for removal of debris of an operation adapted for use in combination with a dental unit and comprising a distributor unit and a control unit spaced therefrom, a nozzle carried'by and extending from said control unit, a drainage passage being formed in the control unit and having a branch passage leading therefrom and communicating with said nozzle, the control unit having therein an aspirator passage and an air pressure passage communicating with the aspirator passage, there being a by-pass passage between the air pressure passage and the drainage passage, a manually operated valve controlling selective communication of the air pressure passage with the aspirator passage and the bypass passage, a manually controlled valve controlling communication of the bypass passage with the drainage passage, a conduit connecting said dental unit with said air pressure passage, a conduit having one end connected with the aspirator passage in the control unit and its other end connected with an aspirator passage formed through the distributor unit, the distributor unit being also formed with a drainage passage communicating with its aspirator passage and connected with the drainage passage of the control unit by a drainage conduit having incorporated therein a coupling with which is connected an outwardly opening check valve to which is connected a tube extending to and connected with the dental unit, and a discharge coupling connected with the aspirator passage of the distributor unit and controlled by an outwardly opening check valve.

3. A debris-removing surgical apparatus adapted for use in combination with a dental unit and comprising a control unit and a distributor unit, a nozzle carried by said control unit, a drainage passage in said distributing unit, said control unit having therein a drainage passage communicating with said nozzle and connected with the drainage passage of the distributing unit, said control unit having therein an air pressure passage communicating with said dental unit, there being in the control unit an' aspirator passage communicating with the air pressure passage and connected with one end 7 of an aspirator passage formed through the distributor unit and communicating with the drain passage in the distributor unit, said control unit having therein a bypass passage connecting the air pressure passage with the drainage passage in the control unit, valves in the control unit controlling flow of air between the by-pass passage and the drainage passage thereof and between the air pressure passage and the by-pass passage and the aspirator passage, a discharge coupling connected with the aspirator passage of the distributor, and a conduit connecting the drainage tube with the dental unit.

4. The structure of claim 2 wherein the valves in the control unit each comprises a stern slidable longitudinally during opening and closing of the valve, and an actuator for the valve having a plunger disposed at right angles to the stern and extending across an end of the said stern, a cam carried by said plunger and tapered longitudinally towards the stem and acting against the said end of the stem to move the stem longitudinally to open the valve when the plunger is moved longitudinally towards the stem, a spring urging the plunger and its cam away from the valve stem, and a spring urging the stem longitudinally in a closing direction.

5. An apparatus for removing the debris of an operation comprising a control unit, a distributor unit, a source of fluid pressure, said control unit having a drainage passage, a nozzle passage having an inner end cornmunicating with the drainage passage intermediate the length thereof, a nozzle connected with the outer end of the nozzle passage, an aspirator passage in the control unit, a fluid pressure passage in the control unit having its inner end communicating with the aspirator passage, a by-pass passage in the control unit connecting said fluid pressure passage with said drainage passage, a valve controlling communication between the bypass passage and the drainage passage and a second valve selectively controlling communication between the fluid pressure passage, the aspirator passage and the bypass passage, said distributor unit having a body provided with an aspirator passage and with a drainage passage having an inner end communicating with said aspirator passage intermediate the length thereof, a cou-' pling carried by said body and formed with a passage providing a continuation of the aspirator passa e in the body and. controlled by an outwardly o ening check valve, a discharge tube extending from the ou er end of the passage in the coupling. a conduit connecting the aspirator passa es of the distributor unit and the control unit, a draina e conduit connecting the dr ina e passages of the distributor unit and the control unit and a conduit connecting the fluid ressure passage of the control unit with said source of fluid pressure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Num er Name Date 1,189,735 Quintin July 4, 1916 1,843,169 McKesson Feb. 2, 1932 2,280,992 Wright et al. Apr. 28, 1942 

